Rhodes Town
Travel Guide
Welcome to our Rhodes travel guide, where we explore the largest island of the Dodecanese islands in Greece. Steeped in history, full of beaches and clear waters, and abundant in restaurants, traditional Greek cuisine and lively nightlife. Be it a relaxing beach break or a history trip, the island and town of Rhodes is perfect for both.
The cobbled streets of Rhodes Old town are packed with restaurants, cafes, bars and shops alongside plenty of historical spots. The beaches are plentiful with crystal clear waters and gleaming sunshine. Put the two together, and combine with larger historical sites and day trips that are available across the island, then you can see that Rhodes makes a worthwhile holiday destination. The locals are friendly, the food is delightful and the prices are reasonable, what more could you ask for? Go and discover Rhodes for yourself.
Travel Guide Contents
Check out our other Greece Travel Guides:
Chania Travel Guide | Athens Travel Guide | Heraklion Travel Guide | Santorini Travel Guide | Naxos Travel Guide
Rhodes Travel Guide
How to get to Rhodes
Rhodes Diagoras International Airport (RHO) is a reasonably small airport located around 16km west of Rhodes Town. The airport caters to both domestic and international flights but is mostly a seasonal airport so can get quite busy during the peak summer months. There are a few shops and some restaurants and cafes in the airport. Many visitors to Rhodes also arrive at the island via ferry at Rhodes ferry port. Rhodes ferry port is large but is situated in the centre so is super convenient for getting to anywhere in Rhodes city centre. The main modes of transport for getting to Rhodes town from the airport and ferry port are:
Airport Bus – Leaves approx every 30min and takes 40min to Rhodes town, costs €2.50 ($3) per person, one way
Taxi from taxi rank – Can be found out the front of arrivals, takes 20-30min into Rhodes town and costs approx €25 ($30)
From the ferry port – The most convenient way to get from the ferry port to Rhodes town centre is to walk, as it is situated right on the town harbourfront and is a short walk to Rhodes Old Town. However, there are taxis available near the ferry port including taxis that can take you straight to the airport, if necessary, as well as a shuttle bus which runs from the ferry port to Rhodes Airport. The easiest way to see all of the available ferries in Greece and book them is through FerryHopper
Areas to stay in Rhodes Town
There are two main areas to stay in Rhodes town, the Old town and the New town. Both have a range of accommodation options and restaurants, bars, cafes and shops. The Old town is the prettier area with small streets and big squares but most of the larger hotels are found in the newer town, due to limited space within the Old town. New town is closer to the main beach.
Accommodation in Rhodes Town
Rhodes island and particularly Rhodes town are tourist hotspots so, as you’d expect, there is a wide range of accommodation options available including apartments, hotels and a few hostels. Outside of Rhodes town, several larger resort hotels offer all-inclusive packages. Booking in advance will usually save money and offer the widest choice of accommodation options. Here is a selection of some of the best accommodation in Rhodes to suit all budgets:
Budget Hostel | STAY Hostel Rhodes – Stay Hostel is a great option for any budget travellers visiting Rhodes. It has a great central location, is close to the beach, harbour and Old Town and has a very friendly, relaxed vibe. There are several different room options to choose from including dorms, private rooms and even an apartment and there is a shared kitchen, roof terrace, gym and home cinema for guests to use
Mid-range hotel | Lefka Hotel & Apartments – A solid option for great value in Rhodes Town, Lefka Hotel and Apartments has a range of double rooms, studios and apartments to choose from in a great location, close to the Old Town. The service is friendly and local and their courtyard area is a beautiful place to have breakfast
High-end hotel | Trinity Boutique Hotel – Trinity Boutique Hotel is set in Rhodes Old Town and the atmospheric interior of the old building and exposed brick walls make this hotel simply beautiful. Rooms are comfortable and contemporary and there is a hot tub and shared lounge for guest use
Luxury hotel | In Camera Art Boutique Hotel – Elegantly decorated rooms and excellent service in this historic hotel in Rhodes Old Town offer a taste of luxury for guests. There is also a rooftop terrace and hot tub for guest use which is perfect for relaxing with views over Rhodes Old Town
How to get around Rhodes
Being a fairly small town, Rhodes town is very walkable and the areas most visited by tourists are no more than a 30min walk between each other. You are most likely to use transport if you are visiting areas outside of the town. These are the best options for how to get around Rhodes:
Boat – If you are looking to go on one of the many day trips available then you may likely go by boat. There are also taxi boats available for transfers to other areas on the island. Prices vary depending on day trips, group numbers etc. Mandraki Harbour is where most available boat services can be found
Bus – Useful for a more budget option of getting around the island or to get to Rhodes Acropolis. Bus no.6 from the urban bus stop at Mandraki Harbour goes to Rhodes Acropolis. There is also an eastern and western bus terminal at either end of the new town which offer services across the island, prices vary and tickets can be bought at kiosks, on the bus or online
Taxi – Widely available across Rhodes town and major tourist spots on the island, they may work out less expensive if there is a group so always worth checking
Things to do in Rhodes
Rhodes is a beautiful island and worth exploring. Here’s our list of the top 5 things to do in Rhodes town and on the island of Rhodes in general:
Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights – Also known as the Kastello, this medieval castle is located in Rhodes Old Town and is well worth a visit. In the summer months, it is open from 8am – 8pm and tickets inside cost €6 ($7)
Rhodes Old Town – Rhodes Old Town is a picturesque maze of narrow streets, lively squares and historic gems, simply explore or enjoy one of the many bars and restaurants
Mandraki Harbour – This is the main harbour in Rhodes and is known for its iconic medieval windmills. Perfect for a stroll or a boat trip
Lindos Day Trip – Go by boat on a day trip (€20-€35 depending on the company and trip type) and explore the whitewashed streets of Lindos village, the magnificent clifftop Acropolis and finish off with relaxing on the beach
Paralia Elli Beach – This is the main beach in Rhodes town, stretching up and around the tip of the island. The water is clear and the beach is long, enjoy sunbathing and a dip in the sea or relax with a drink in one of the many bars and restaurants overlooking it
What to eat in Rhodes
Greek food is famous the world over and for good reason, it’s incredibly delicious! There are lots of restaurants in Rhodes, mainly covering Greek, Mediterranean and Italian cuisines, however, there are other choices available if you’re looking for something a bit different. The quality of the food is generally quite high and if you are looking for something special, there are a number offering taster menus or similar. Also, being on an island and surrounded by the sea, there is an abundance of tasty seafood and fish dishes to try here which we recommend. If you want to try some of the best food on the island, then here are our top picks of the local cuisine in Rhodes:
Octopus – Grilled octopus is beautifully tender and is perfect when served with fava (a Greek dish made from yellow split peas)
Spaghetti with lobster – Quite decadent and often served for two, this dish is bursting with flavour and great for a special night out
Hummus – Who doesn’t love hummus? Made from chickpeas, oil and tahini, this delicious dip is perfect with warm pitta
Zucchini (courgette) fritters – These little fritters are amazingly tasty and great for a starter or as a meze dish
Meze – This isn’t a specific type of food but a series of small savoury plates or dishes that make up a meal and something you must have while in Greece
Money - Rhodes Travel Costs
The currency in Rhodes and Greece is the Euro (€). Credit & Debit cards are widely accepted throughout Greece and Rhodes, and there are plenty of ATMs that accept foreign cards. A service charge is generally not added to the bill so you can leave a tip if you are happy with the service. A tip of 5-10% is the norm and you can round up for taxis. Rhodes is very reasonably priced and will suit budget travellers, families and luxury travellers. Some of the squares in the Old Town can be a little overpriced, but otherwise, prices are quite uniform across the town. Here’s a guide for what you can expect to pay in Rhodes (per person) for:
A local draught beer – €3-€4 ($3.60-$4.80)
A coffee – €2-€3.50 ($2.50-$4.30)
Gyros (Greek pita wrap with meat) – €3 ($3.70)
Budget restaurant meal – €10-€15 ($12-$18)
Mid-range restaurant meal – €20-€25 ($25-$30)
High-end restaurant meal – €30 ($35+)
When to go to Rhodes and for how long
The best time to visit Rhodes is May-June or September-October, when the crowds are less busy, the prices aren’t at their peak and the weather is warm but not too hot. You could spend a long weekend here but you may not be able to do any day trips so we’d recommend 5 nights to a week if you really want to explore the island and relax on the beach for a few days.
Local language and phrases
The local language spoken in Rhodes, and Greece, is Greek. English is widely spoken across the island but if you’re willing to learn a few Greek words and phrases to talk to the locals, then it will be much appreciated. Refer to our Greece travel tips section for a quick guide to some of the most useful Greek words to learn for your trip
Rhodes travel tips
– Rhodes is generally very safe and is suitable for lone travellers, including lone females
– There are a few restaurants specialising in vegan and vegetarian food but there are also a number of restaurants with specialised menus for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diets
– The tap water is safe to drink in Rhodes
– Don’t flush toilet paper in Rhodes (or in Greece in general), use the bins provided
Rhodes travel guide written in June 2021
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